Lourdes closed out the home portion of the 2021-2022 regular season on Monday evening, suffering an 80-69 setback to Indiana Tech inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
The Gray Wolves shot just 37.7% from the floor while Indiana Tech connected at a 51.8% clip, including 66.7% after halftime.
 
"We couldn't make shots tonight," head coach Dennis Hopson said afterwards.  "We have to make shots and find a way to get to the free throw line."
 
An 8-2 run midway through the first half, all by Nick Welch (Temperance, Mich./Temperance, Mich./Saint Mary Catholic Central H.S.) put Lourdes up 22-15 with just under 10 minutes to play before halftime.  The Warriors responded with 16 of the next 18 points over a five-minute span to take the lead for good, pulling in front 31-24.
 
Lourdes was within one in the closing seconds of the first half when Indiana Tech connected on a free throw, stole the inbounds pass, and drained a long three as time expired to take a 35-30 lead into halftime.
 
The Gray Wolves pulled within two early in the second half and were still within three, 48-45, after a lay-in by Welch with just over 12 minutes to play.  Indiana Tech scored the game's next 11 points in less than three minutes to push its advantage to double figures at the nine-minute mark.
 
The Warrior lead grew to 17, 68-51, at the 4:30 mark before Lourdes made one final push.  An 11-3 spurt cut the deficit to nine, 71-62, with 2:23 to play, but Lourdes would get no closer than eight the rest of the way.
 
Joey Holifield (Toledo, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch H.S.) led Lourdes with 21 points while Welch added 16 more.  The Gray Wolves forced 14 Warrior turnovers but were outrebounded 42-30 on the night.
 
Grant Smith led Indiana Tech (23-6, 17-2 WHAC) with 24 points while Rog Stein added 14 more.
 
"We have two games left in the regular season and we have to find a way to grind it out," Hopson added.
 
Lourdes (20-6, 12-6) heads out on the road for the final two games of the regular season, beginning on Wednesday evening with a trip to Adrian, Mich. to battle Siena Heights.  Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. inside the SHU Fieldhouse.